azrm2k on 05 September 2008
The problem with some Islamic countries is that they mix culture and religion to the point that it's hard to differentiate between the two.
Birthdays isn't that extreme of an example but there are other situations like honor killings which are entirely based off of a backwards culture which people now believe was meant to be part of the religion.
I don't know exactly what the deal is with not celebrating birthdays but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was a similar situation.
